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The differences between refinery operators and plant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a refinery operator, becoming a plant operator takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a refinery operator has an average salary of $47,058, which is higher than the $42,697 average annual salary of a plant operator.
The top three skills for a refinery operator include safety procedures, ladders and product quality. The most important skills for a plant operator are plant equipment, plant operations, and preventative maintenance.
| Refinery Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $47,058 | $42,697 |
| Hourly rate | $22.62 | $20.53 |
| Growth rate | 7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 34,423 | 43,388 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 29% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
Refinery operators oversee the entire production process of the plant operation. Responsibilities for this position are as diverse as the required knowledge fields, including identifying and correcting refinery process issues, operating equipment, monitoring meters and gauges, and meeting set area production goals. It necessitates many knowledge requirements, including, but not at all limited to product quality, control room operations, safety procedures, OSHA regulations, and process conditions.
A plant operator's primary role is to supervise and oversee operations in an industrial setting. They are responsible for controlling machinery and equipment, coordinating with fellow officers, monitoring the quality of progress among a particular unit or department, and maintaining daily operations records. A plant operator may also respond to inquiries and issues, perform basic troubleshooting, and provide corrective measures. Furthermore, a plant operator must conduct regular inspection and maintenance to ensure a safe work environment for everyone, all while implementing the plant's safety policies and regulations.
Refinery operators and plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Refinery Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Average salary | $47,058 | $42,697 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $73,000 | Between $32,000 And $56,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Idaho |
| Best paying company | - | NW Natural |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a refinery operator and a plant operator in terms of educational background:
| Refinery Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 29% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
Here are the differences between refinery operators' and plant operators' demographics:
| Refinery Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 4.3% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 5% |